Why patients from Romania travel abroad for treatment
Romania has a dedicated medical workforce and a healthcare infrastructure that continues to develop, yet patients sometimes encounter limited domestic availability of certain highly specialised procedures — among them complex cardiac surgery, advanced oncological therapies, and organ transplants — alongside capacity constraints that can make timely access difficult. For conditions where speed of treatment or access to a specific technique matters, travelling abroad becomes a practical and considered choice rather than a last resort.
India has established itself as a genuinely credible destination for this kind of medical travel. Major treatment centres offer a wide range of advanced procedures under one roof, supported by internationally trained specialists and technology that is on a par with leading global facilities. Costs are substantially lower than in most of Western Europe, English is widely used in clinical settings, and the logistical infrastructure for international patients — from airport reception to post-treatment recovery — is well organised. For Romanian patients weighing their options, India represents a combination of clinical depth, accessibility and value that is difficult to match elsewhere.

India is increasingly being trusted for medical care
India & Romania: a friendship that extends to healthcare
India and Romania celebrate a warm partnership underpinned by 75 years of diplomatic ties (marked in 2023) and a Joint Declaration on an Extensive Partnership renewed in February 2024. On the health and pharmaceutical front, major Indian companies — including Sun Pharma, Dr. Reddy's Labs, and Sunwave Pharma — are established players in Romania, deepening the medical-supply relationship between the two nations. India's ITEC programme has benefited Romanian professionals, with Romania having utilised over 110 ITEC slots to date and 12 participants attending training in India in 2022–23 alone. An Ayush Information Cell was inaugurated in Bucharest in April 2021, bringing Indian traditional medicine closer to Romanian practitioners.
People-to-people ties reinforce this health corridor: the Indian community in Romania numbers around 6,000 (including approximately 4,900 workers), while over 120 Indian students are currently studying in Romania, many pursuing medicine at universities in Timișoara, Oradea, Bucharest, and Iași. For a Romanian patient considering medical travel, India is far from an unknown destination — it is a country whose pharmaceutical brands already stock Romanian pharmacies, whose professionals have trained alongside Romanian counterparts, and whose medical institutions are familiar to the Romanian-based Indian community.
Sources: India–Romania Bilateral Relations Brief, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India (March 2025); India–Romania Bilateral Relations Brief, MEA (July 2024); Embassy of India, Bucharest — Press Release on Ambassador's Cultural & Academic Engagements (April 2026).
Specialties for which patients generally travel to India
Heart treatment leads the corridor — across Cardiac Surgery, patients from Romania most often travel for Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG), Heart Transplant Surgery and Heart Valve Replacement Surgery.
Fertility & women's health is another major draw: Infertility & IVF, with Donor Egg IVF and IVF (In-Vitro Fertilization) Treatment among the most sought treatments.
Many patients also come for Cancer care — Medical Oncology — particularly Chemotherapy for Cancer and Targeted Therapy for Cancer.
Brain, spine & nerve care completes the picture across Neurosurgery, most commonly for Brain Tumor Surgery and Pituitary Tumor Surgery.
Bone & joint care is another major draw: Orthopedics, with Hip Replacement and Knee Replacement Surgery among the most sought treatments.
Spine Surgery also brings patients from Romania to India, most commonly for Spinal Fusion Surgery.
Popular Hospitals for Romania patients in India
Accredited partner hospitals — specialties, doctors, facilities and accreditations. →
Medical visa from Romania to India
Visa requirements for Romanian travellers are set by the Government of India and change from time to time. Rather than publish a procedure that may be out of date, we point you to the official source and confirm your position with you personally.
Check the official Indian government portal: indianvisaonline.gov.in — it is the only authorised site, and no third party can issue an Indian visa on your behalf.
Tell us you are travelling from Romania and we will confirm what applies to you, what documents you need and what it costs — usually the same day you ask. Whichever route applies, we arrange the hospital invitation letter free of charge and guide you through the paperwork.
What to bring
- Medical reports & scans — all recent reports, imaging (on disc or drive), prescriptions and discharge summaries, ideally also as digital copies;
- Passport & photos — valid at least 6 months beyond arrival, plus a few passport-size photographs;
- Current medicines — in original packaging, with the prescriptions that cover them;
- A letter from your local doctor — diagnosis and treatment history, if available;
- Payment — an internationally enabled card and/or US dollars; hospitals accept both, and our team advises on the best way to pay;
- Comfortable clothing — loose, layered clothes for hospital stays and recovery;
- Travel documents & hospital papers — your passport, any visa or entry documents that apply to your nationality, and the hospital invitation letter;
- Your companion's documents — passport, photographs and their own travel documents.
Getting to India from Romania
Flights to India from Romania are most commonly routed through major European or Middle Eastern hub airports, with connection times and layovers varying by carrier and season. Typical total journey time from Romania to major Indian arrival cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai approximately takes 10 to 15 hours. Travellers departing from Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, or Iași will generally find the widest range of connecting options through hubs such as Istanbul, Dubai, or Frankfurt. The principal arrival airports for medical travellers in India are Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, and Chennai International Airport, each of which is well served from European connection points. Ginger Healthcare arranges airport reception for patients on arrival, coordinating onward transfer to the hospital or accommodation so that the transition after a long journey is as smooth as possible.
Live prices from real airline searches — compare dates, airlines and stopovers before you budget. Opens in a new tab. See routes & fares →
Planning the cost of treatment in India
Planning a medical journey to India involves thinking beyond the treatment itself. Several categories of expenditure come into play, and understanding each one early helps patients and their families prepare with confidence rather than uncertainty.
- Treatment cost: Varies according to the diagnosis, the complexity of the procedure, the hospital, and the treating specialist's profile — this is almost always the largest single item.
- Visa fees: Whatever visa applies to your nationality carries a government fee, plus a small bank processing charge. We confirm the current route and fee with you before you apply — see the visa section below.
Arriving at a realistic total before departure removes the risk of financial surprises at a stressful time. That is precisely why Ginger Healthcare built the first-of-its-kind Medical Tourism Cost Calculator, which produces a tentative estimate covering the complete cost — treatment, visa, travel fare and accommodation — in one place. Dedicated counsellors are available around the clock to walk through any figures or questions that arise.
| Procedure | Indicative cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Brain Tumor Surgery | $4,000 - $11,000 |
| Chemotherapy for Cancer | $500 - $2,000 |
| Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) | $3,500 - $7,000 |
| Heart Valve Replacement Surgery | $5,000 - $9,000 |
| Hip Replacement | $5,500 - $9,500 |
| IVF (In-Vitro Fertilization) Treatment | $2,500 - $4,500 |
| Knee Replacement Surgery | $5,000 - $14,000 |
Indicative ranges for international patients — each procedure links to its detailed page. The final estimate depends on your medical reports, the hospital and the doctor.
🧮 Medical Tourism Cost CalculatorTreatment + visa + travel fare + stay — one tentative estimate, free. Estimate now →
Frequently asked questions — Romania
Will language be a barrier during my treatment in India?
English is the working language in virtually all major Indian hospitals that treat international patients, so clinical consultations, nursing care and discharge documentation are generally conducted in English. Ginger Healthcare's coordination team can also assist with any communication needs throughout the process.
Google Reviews
What patients say about treatment in India & experience with us
“Amazon experience all day at the hospital under caring fii dance and patience. Very help full and kind staff ready to help all the time.”
“We came from Germany for treatment at BLK-Max Hospital, and our experience has been excellent from start to finish. A special thanks to Emad Hussain for his outstanding support, coordination, and care throughout our entire journey. He was always available, professional, and made everything smooth and stress-free. We would also like to thank Anushka for her kind support and excellent assistance. We truly appreciate everything the team has done for us. We highly recommend their services to anyone planning to come to India for medical treatment. They are trustworthy, reliable, and genuinely care about their patients. Thank you so much for everything!”
“Very nice experience with Emad and Anushka , they guided me through the whole process and medical consultations! I recommend Ginger Healthcare with no doubt”
“I can honestly say that my experience seeking treatment abroad was nothing short of exceptional, and it really highlighted just how disappointing my experience with the NHS had been in comparison. After facing long delays, lack of clear communication, and a general feeling of being overlooked in the UK system, making the decision to travel overseas for care felt like a last resort—but it turned out to be the best decision I could have made. From the moment we arrived, everything was handled with a level of professionalism and efficiency that immediately put me at ease. The hospital itself was spotless, modern, and incredibly well-organised. There was no sense of chaos or long waiting around; every appointment, test, and consultation was arranged promptly and ran exactly on time. It felt like the entire system was built around patient care and comfort, rather than patients having to fit into an overstretched system. The medical team were outstanding. Every doctor and nurse I interacted with took the time to listen carefully, explain things clearly, and make sure I fully understood my treatment plan. I never once felt rushed or dismissed. Instead, I felt genuinely cared for and respected, which made a huge difference during what was already a stressful time. One of the standout parts of the entire experience was the support we received from Natasha, our international client coordinator. From the very beginning, she went above and beyond to ensure everything ran smoothly. She organised appointments, helped with paperwork, arranged transport, and was always available whenever we had questions or concerns. Her communication was excellent, and she made what could have been a very overwhelming experience feel simple and manageable. Natasha didn’t just do her job—she genuinely cared. She checked in on us regularly, made sure we were comfortable, and provided reassurance every step of the way. Having someone like her there made a huge difference, especially being in a foreign country where things can easily feel unfamiliar or stressful. Overall, the level of care, attention, and efficiency we experienced abroad was on a completely different level. It’s frustrating to say, but the contrast with the NHS was stark. Where we had previously faced delays and uncertainty, we instead found clarity, speed, and genuine compassion. I would highly recommend this hospital to anyone considering treatment abroad. The quality of care, combined with the incredible support from staff like Natasha, made what could have been a difficult experience into a very positive one. I’m truly grateful for the care I received and wouldn’t hesitate to make the same decision again if needed.”
“Hi I just wanted to share my sincere appreciation for the outstanding experience I had. Everything exceeded my expectations, and I am especially grateful to Mr. Emad Hussain and Anushka . They took exceptional care of me throughout my time there, always ensuring I was comfortable and well looked after. Their support meant so much. I will absolutely recommend your services to everyone I know. Thank you once again for such a wonderful experience.”
“I extremely grateful for the Ginger Healthcare team. They helped me including airport-hotel transport, in the hospital registration, etc I want to sincerely thank you for the wonderful support throughout my medical journey in India.”